Peoria Unified Sch�l District
Menus ‘N More December 2013
Peoria Uni�ied, one of Arizona’s largest uni�ied school districts, prides itself on a 94 percent high school graduation rate, excelling schools, award-winning teachers, high AIMS test scores, specialized signature programs and championship sports programs.
Every Studen SStudent , Every Day, Prepared to Shape Tomorrow
www.peoriaud.k12.az.us
U.S. Veterans Honored at Schools Across District Schools throughout the district celebrated members of our Armed Services during Veterans Day recognitions. Special tributes were planned and students and staff invited veterans to attend assemblies in their honor. Events featuring patriotic music, historical accounts of Veterans Day and inspirational stories of courage were held at: Copperwood, Coyote Hills,
Desert Harbor, Foothills, Frontier, Heritage, Lake Pleasant, Pioneer, Sundance, Vistancia and Zuni Hills elementary schools. Breakfast was served to veterans at some schools; Heritage Elementary held an annual luncheon and Lake Pleasant Elementary served up apple pie for the veterans. Each branch of the military was recognized during school Foothills Elementary kindergarteners Brooke Luger, Brandan Soza, Kadynce Rubio, Ashton Kowske, Natalie Salazar and Bryan Ibanez sing a patrio�c song during the Veterans Day assembly. assemblies: the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines and the Coast Guard. During the assemblies, veterans were recognized and introduced individually. Vistancia Elementary set up a minimuseum of uniforms of U.S. service men and women in the library. Peoria High’s Air Force Junior Reserve Of�icers’ Training Corps (AFJROTC)
held a Changing of the Guard ceremony at an early morning school-wide assembly, attended a POW/ MIA ceremony at Montecito Retirement Home and joined veterans for dinner at the Glencroft Retirement Home. The Color Guard also performed a �lag ceremony at the City of Peoria Veterans Day Event at Rio Vista Park.
Career Development planning process, students within each grade level are offered age-appropriate career exploration opportunities: career awareness in kindergarten through sixthgrade; career exploration in seventh- through eighth-
grade; followed by career preparation for students in high school, leading to career management. The MyLife program was integrated into Peoria Uni�ied’s curriculum in 2005.
Enjoy holiday cookies and hot chocolate as district staff accept last minute tax credit contribu�ons from the public, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tues., Dec. 31 at the District Administra�on Center, 6330 W. Thunderbird Rd. Tax credit contribu�ons can also be made online with a debit or credit card at www.peoriaud.k12.az.us.
What are the Ariz. College and Career Ready Standards? An effort by most states (45 of 50) to establish more rigorous bench-marks in math and reading to replace the widely varying goals which now exist. How will it work? Ariz. College and Career Ready Standards indicate the reading and math skills chil-
dren should master, at each grade level, through their K12 experience, and prepares them for college or business careers. It does not dictate to teachers how to teach, only what the goals are for each grade level. Plus, the new standards will require students to think harder and critically evaluate more. Isn’t this another expensive Federal program?
The flag presenta�on at the Veterans Day assembly at Foothills Elementary was performed by the Cactus High JROTC Cadets Anthony Vaughn, Jonathan Clay, Mathew Weiss and Noah Best.
District Honored with Prestigious WESTMARC Award The Peoria Uni�ied School District was recently honored with the Quality of Life Enhancement Award for its’ MyLife Program during WESTMARC’s 21st Annual Best of the West awards ceremony. As part of the district’s
DRIVE-THRU TAX CREDIT DONATIONS ACCEPTED
Look for Menus ‘N More Newsletter Online or via Email
Peoria Uni�ied is doing its part saving dollars (and trees) by reducing the printing of the monthly Menus N’ More newsletter. Beginning January 2014, the publication can be read electronically, saving the district more than $18,000. The Public Relations Department will publish a digital newsletter highlighting students, staff and schools. Be sure your email address is up-to-date with your school of�ice as the online edition will be sent directly to your inbox via the district’s School Messenger system each month. You can always access the current month’s menu with the six-day rotation schedule anytime at www.peoriaud. k12.az.us.
Schools/District Office Winter Break Schedule All elementary and high schools will be closed Friday, Dec. 20 for winter recess and will resume Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. All district offices including Administration, Transportation, Warehouse, Maintenance, Food & Nutrition and IMT, will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 1. District offices will be open during regularly scheduled business hours Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2-3.
Facts and Myths About Ariz. College and Career Ready Standards
Joe McCord Board Member
No. The Federal government, other than helping it get kick-started, had nothing to do with designing Ariz. College and Career Ready Standards. The standards were developed by governors and state school superintendents across the country. No input at all came from the Federal government. Doesn’t it take control
out of the hands of local school boards? No. Each school board will determine how the goals are reached, but each will do it in a way that board members and administrators feel is best for their district. When will it take effect? Arizona’s goal is to have all school districts on board by the 2014-15 school year.